Tag Archives: times

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Best of Both Worlds | Bible Gleanings – November 11-12, 2023

Leave a comment

Odysseus wanted the best of both worlds, and he paid dearly for it. His tale is told in The Odyssey, the world-famous poetic book written by Homer in the eighth century. The narrative centers on his ten-year journey back to the kingdom of Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War, and every reader of The Odyssey knows that his return-voyage was not easy. One hazardous threat he faced on his return trip were the Sirens, two ghastly monsters disguised as beautiful women who enchanted travelers with their lovely melodies in an attempt to lure and devour them. Odysseus and his crew were thus instructed to deafen their ears with wax and chain themselves to their ship so they would not be swayed by the seductive tune.

But Odysseus paid no attention. He ordered his men to bind him hand and foot to their ship, but leave his ears open so he might hear the splendid song of the Sirens without being slain. The magical melody soon danced upon the waters, and Odysseus demanded to be released immediately. Then he started straining against the chains, until they dug deeply into his skin and caused fatal bleeding. And it wasn’t until their ship sailed far away from the Sirens that Odysseus understood the shameful and agonizing cost of having things both ways.

Wanting the best of both worlds might be a theme of an eighth-century poetic novel, but it is a timeless problem that exists for believers in the twenty-first century, too. The duplicitous desire to indulge in the sinful pleasures of the world while concurrently savoring the Lord’s goodness is a tricky temptation that all of the Lord’s saints experience. That is why the Scripture is replete with warnings about trying to hold hands with God and the wicked world at the same time. As James said, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4, KJV). And as Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24a).

Love for the world is simply incompatible with love for God (cf. 1 John 2:15-17). Moreover, the Lord will not settle for such divided allegiance, spiritual adultery, half-hearted worship, or the “leftovers” of our love. He detests lukewarm love and delights in wholehearted devotion (Rev. 3:15-16). And most importantly, only the Lord is worthy of all the love and worship we can give (Psalm 96:4; Rev. 4:11); that is why believers are commanded to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and not some of it (Luke 10:27). Living a best-of-both-worlds life might sound appealing, but it is simply not worth it—just ask Odysseus.

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Benefiting the Body | Bible Gleanings – November 4-5, 2023

Leave a comment

Underestimating always gets me into trouble. I purchased a drum kit a while back with the impression that learning to play would be simple. Swinging sticks up and down can’t be too difficult, right? Well, I can tell you, it ain’t as easy as it sounds. And the difficulty stems from the hand-and-foot coordination, since you must strike the snare, toms, and cymbals with your hands while simultaneously stomping the kick pedal with your foot.

And that’s the only way to do it right. The hands can’t do all the work, and neither can the feet. Therefore, every good rhythm depends on the cooperation, coordination, and individual contributions of the hands and feet. And this is how the Lord designed the local church to function as well. All believers in Christ have been spiritually united to the universal body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), and they are commanded to manifest this reality by uniting with a local church, where they can produce a God-pleasing rhythm with other members who do their part.

According to the apostle Paul, some believers are like the feet of the church, while others are like the hands, ears, and eyes (1 Cor. 12:14-30). Just as different parts of the human body have distinct functions, each believer possesses God-given spiritual gifts for the betterment of the local church. As Paul said, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:4-7). The work of ministry is too great for any one person to handle alone, but each of us can contribute in some way, and together we can fulfill the mission God has given us.

All believers have a job to do and a spiritual vacancy to fill. Just as the members of our physical body depend on each other for surviving and thriving, believers are also dependent on other believers and their spiritual gifts, and vice versa. And, contrary to popular belief, the church is not a country club where you pay your dues so that others can serve you—the church is the place where you serve others. Thus, we should never ask, “Should I serve my church?” Instead, the right question is always, “How can I best serve my church?”

Furthermore, the Lord always rewards such faithful service. The writer of Hebrews promised, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). Additionally, He will grant you all the grace that you need for service (1 Peter 4:10-11). How are you benefiting the body of Christ? How are you serving your church?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Magnetism of Money | Bible Gleanings – October 28-29, 2023

Leave a comment

The church secretary answered the phone, and a man on the other end requested, “I’d like to speak with the head hog, please.” Surprised, she asked, “Pardon me, sir, who?” He insisted, “The head hog of the church. I’d like to talk to him.” She asked again, “Who?” Frustrated, the man reiterated, “Ma’am, the head hog of the church!” And she finally said, “If you’re talking about our pastor, you may call him reverend, brother, or pastor, but he is not the head hog.” “Well,” the man calmly replied, “I was interested in giving $25,000 to the church, and that’s why I called.” And she bubbled with excitement, saying, “Please hold, the big fat pig is headed to his office now; I’ll transfer you!”

The painful truth is that money changes people. It has a seductive pull that is hard to resist and an enslaving chokehold that is difficult to break free from. It can quickly blind you to what truly matters in life, and it can become a god you worship even quicker. It often hardens the heart, clouds the mind, and corrupts the soul. And because of money’s dominating power, the Scripture speaks strongly and sternly about it from cover to cover. 

Jesus urged that, instead of piling up wealth on earth, we should send spiritual riches ahead of us to heaven: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). He also taught that money is an attractive idol that we may be tempted to worship: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Most significantly, Jesus warned that tremendous wealth is a tremendous liability that prevents many souls from entering heaven: “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24).

It is no wonder, then, that Paul cautioned that greed is a subtle snare, a fast train to demise, and a hunger that starves people of spiritual life (1 Tim. 6:9-10). How, then, can we avoid loving money and worshiping it as a god? According to the Scripture, the most reliable prescriptions for the disease of Mammon worship are contentment (Luke 12:15; Heb. 13:5), generosity (1 Tim. 6:17-19), faithful stewardship (Prov. 3:9-10), and loving God above all else (Matt. 6:24).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Warning the Wandering | Bible Gleanings – October 21-22, 2023

Leave a comment

Tom, Tim, and Tony were inseparable friends. They went everywhere and did everything together, even skiing in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. And during this ski trip, Tony decided to venture off the designated track, away from the rest of the group. But unbeknownst to him, he was swiftly skiing toward the edge of a precipice. Tom and Tim could see the inevitable danger from their vantage point.

“Tony, get back here!” yelled Tom. “You’re going to kill yourself on that cliff! Tim, we’ve got to get him back on track!” But Tim shockingly retorted, “That’s not very loving. Just let him do what he wants. Who are you to judge? If you offend him, he will probably never ski again!”

Which of the two friends genuinely loved Tony? The answer is obvious: Tom. He was willing to spoil Tony’s fun to save his life. Tim was unloving to the highest degree because he wanted Tony to just enjoy himself, even if it meant ending his life. Tim’s love was all talk, whereas Tom’s love was all walk. Tom loved Tony enough to tell him the truth about his bad decision and do what was necessary to save him from destruction.

Sometimes, fellow believers veer off the narrow path of piety toward a precipice of destruction. And in such moments, it is eternally exigent for other believers to lovingly warn them and extend a helping hand to guide them back to the route of righteousness. The Bible commands, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James similarly admonished, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

It may be difficult to tell someone the truth about their sinful choices, but it is ultimately unloving to watch a brother or sister destroy themselves without doing or saying anything. As a matter of fact, the Scripture says that we should at the very least say something, and say it lovingly: “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Moreover, one of the most important jobs for believers in the local church is mutual encouragement and exhortation, in which we compassionately correct one another when we are in the wrong: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Will you patiently and lovingly correct believers who are wandering? And will you humbly submit to such correction when you wander?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Momentary Affliction | Bible Gleanings – October 14-15, 2023

Leave a comment

Numbness arrested my legs. Every step was an agonizing jolt, making it impossible to ignore the excruciating pain. Sweat trickled down my face and tears nearly did, too. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to throw in the towel. All of this agony stemmed from the 375-foot ascent to Eagle Point Buttress in the Red River Gorge of eastern Kentucky.

But once I got to the peak, the sights made the struggle worthwhile. The breathtaking panoramic views stretched as far as the eye could see, as lush pine valleys and rolling hills came together to paint an unforgettable landscape. The beautiful blue sky was like an ocean floating in the heavens. The sun cast a golden glow upon every rock, tree, and stream in the wilderness, illuminating the scene with warmth. And as I took in the incredible scenery, every ounce of my pain melted away.

And the Bible says the same thing about the believer’s earthly sufferings. The uphill climb of life’s trials can make you feel like giving up. There will be times when you feel like you can’t take another step on the tribulation-laden road to everlasting life. But the sight of Jesus Christ in glory will make all of your sufferings worthwhile. That is why Peter said, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Being with Jesus in heaven will far surpass the pain of your earthly hardships. As a matter of fact, the magnitude of your heavenly reward far outweighs the gravity of your tribulations on earth—so much so that a comparison between them is impossible! As Paul aptly said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The troubles of this life are temporary and they weigh nothing compared to the weight of heaven: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). What is one drop of sorrow compared to an overflowing cup of joy in eternity? What are a thousand dark days compared to being forever in the light of God’s glorious presence?

I also snapped many photographs of the awe-inspiring peak to help me remember why the climb was well worth it. And believers likewise have a picture of heaven to encourage them that the excruciating climb of life will be worth it in the end: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Power from Another | Bible Gleanings – October 7-8, 2023

Leave a comment

It was dead as a doorknob, and my efforts to revive it were fruitless. I tried everything to resuscitate my wife’s car battery, but it was lifeless from sitting too long. No matter how many times I turned the key or wished with all my heart for an engine roar, it refused to start. The battery also couldn’t recharge itself as it required power from another source. It was dead and needed new life.

But once I connected to my fully-charged battery, what was dead came alive! And this is what occurs in the hearts of all believers at the momentous moment of their conversion. As sinners, we are born spiritually dead and lifeless, and we cannot revive ourselves (Eph. 2:1). No amount of wishing or trying can bring our dead hearts back to life. Only when we are connected to God’s regenerating grace by the cable of faith do we experience new life—and that’s a “battery” stronger than any Duracell.

We exit the tomb of spiritual death when Christ raises us to life, just as He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). Lazarus couldn’t revive himself—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t do good works to earn Christ’s favor—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t even ask Jesus to resurrect his body because he was dead. Christ accomplishes this awesome work of regeneration without any assistance from man because He is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). 

And the Lord promises this to all who experience this death-to-life saving work: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Has the battery of your heart been revived by God’s life-giving grace?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Giving to God | Bible Gleanings – September 30-October 1, 2023

Leave a comment

It was a gigantic gift, but something wasn’t right. In 34 BC, the Roman general Mark Antony gave Cleopatra and her children a copious collection of territories in an event known as the Donations of Alexandria. Foregoing meager gifts of gems and gold, Antony went above and beyond by awarding them the lands of Syria, Cyrenaica, Armenia, and Parthia. In response to such a prodigious present, most people would say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” And given that Antony neither possessed nor was authorized to give away these lands, such a reaction would have been entirely justified!

His “gift” to Cleopatra was also incredibly disproportionate to the assets she already possessed. She had an estimated $95.8 billion in today’s dollars, making her one of the wealthiest women in history. That’s like donating a penny to a billionaire who owns the factory where pennies are made! Antony thought that his land grants were a big deal, but Cleopatra was a bigger deal herself. He gave her gifts that weren’t his, and they paled in comparison to what she was actually worth.

And all of our “gifts” to the King of kings and Lord of lords are the same way. We ultimately own nothing and God supremely owns everything (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, everything we may offer to God is already His—we are simply returning to Him what He has loaned to us. We may give God our time, but all the time we have is borrowed from Him (Prov. 22:7). We can offer the Lord our wealth and treasures, but He already owns them, too: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).

This does not mean God does not want us to give to Him. As a matter of fact, what He desires is that we give all of ourselves to Him: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1; cf. Matt. 22:37). He even commands us to surrender our time, talents, and treasures to Him (Eph. 5:16; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Cor. 9:7). But nothing we could ever give the Lord is worthy of what He deserves. God’s immeasurable worth, glory, and riches will always surpass anything we can offer. Isaac Watts (1674-1748) got it right when he penned the following words in the enduring hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: 

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small.

Love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Serious Sin of Slander | Bible Gleanings – September 23-24, 2023

Leave a comment

It is the world’s largest bulldozer, powerful enough to push 24 tons of earth in a single pass. Manufactured in Japan, the Komatsu D575A is the record-breaking champion of bulldozers that boasts of 1,150 horsepower. I guess you could say that it leaves all the others in the dust! By all accounts, it is a mechanical monster that moves more dirt faster and farther than any man-made machine. But, while it is a world-record holder, there is a spiritual bulldozer that has the Komatsu beat. And according to God’s record of truth in Scripture, it is the serious sin of slander. 

Slander is more effective at digging up dirt than any bulldozer man has ever invented. And because it runs on the fuel of rumor, slander can spread good-name-destroying dirt faster and farther, too. It can even bury someone’s character so deeply that it cannot be excavated and cleaned. This subtle sin, however, is not manufactured in Japan—it is created in the wicked factory of our hearts and distributed through the conveyor belt of our sinful tongues (Matt. 15:19; James 4:11-12). It is no wonder, then, that believers are repeatedly commanded to “cast off” slander (Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1). 

Moreover, slander is an especially abominable wickedness. A loose tongue is all that is needed for slander to breed, making it an exceptionally easy sin to commit. Slander is also particularly satanic, as it is one of the devil’s most cherished evils (Gen. 3:1; Job 1:9-11; Rev. 12:10). Further, it is characteristic of the ungodly world, since they slander believers for standing for the truth (Matt. 5:11; 1 Pet. 3:16). And most significantly, slander is contrary to the Lord, as He does not even bring a charge against His elect, which is precisely what slander does (Rom. 8:33).

How, then, can believers resist and repent of this grave evil? Here are some biblical suggestions:

(1) First, tell only the Lord when you hear about someone’s sin, and pray for them. And if the situation demands confrontation with the person, then speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

(2) Second, avoid “empty talk” and fill your conversations with that which is upbuilding and gracious (Matt. 12:36). You can’t use your speech for evil when you are using it for good (Eph. 4:29).

(3) Third, keep secure what you are told in confidence. Private words can often morph into slander (Prov. 20:19).

(4) Fourthly, mind your own business and focus on doing your Father’s business (1 Thess. 4:11; Luke 2:49).

(5) Fifthly, ask for God’s help: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3).

(6) Sixth, be slow to speak: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19, KJV).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Follow the Light | Bible Gleanings – September 16-17, 2023

Leave a comment

A chilling fear and eerie coldness washed over me as we sank into the sunless and spine-chilling abyss. “No one should be here,” I thought. Only a person who finds pleasure in roaming aimlessly in nothingness until they die would feel at home there. My young imagination had even persuaded me that this place was a trap full of bloodthirsty monsters ready to strangle me with their sharp claws. In reality, however, it wasn’t even that bad—it was just my first visit to Mammoth Cave in south central Kentucky when I was a youngster.

Our family decided to participate in the “lantern tour,” in which everyone packed in behind the tour guide who carried an old-time kerosene lamp. And we soon realized that light was our most precious possession in the dark. We could hardly make out what was right in front of our faces without it. The winding passages, pools of water, and jagged rock formations were invisible without the guiding glow of the lantern. And thus, we all stuck close behind the leader with the light to avoid stumbling, slowing down, or straying off into a spooky section of the cave system.

Following the man with the light was wise, but it is even wiser to follow the Son of Man, who is the Light of the world. As Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). You don’t have to worry about wandering hopelessly through this dark world when you faithfully follow Jesus Christ. You won’t stumble in the darkness or stray into territory that is hazardous to your soul when you stick close behind the Light (John 12:46). He will guide you away from twisting tunnels of sin, perilous pits of wickedness, and prickly evils of the culture. 

Jesus has also provided His followers with a lamp that they can always carry with them: the word of God. As the psalmist declared, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105, KJV). Sin is exposed for what it truly is because of the light the Scripture casts (Rom. 7:13). The path of righteousness is also illuminated by its glow, as it reveals the steps you should take. And its bright light dispels the shadow that hides the true nature of the world.

Furthermore, believers are “children of light,” called to shine the light of Christ to those lost in the darkness of sin (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5). Jesus came to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79a), and He spreads His saving light through those who have been “called out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9b; cf. Matt. 5:16). Will you follow the Light and shine His light to others?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Wash Your Hands | Bible Gleanings – September 9-10, 2023

Leave a comment

“For God’s sake, wash your hands!” Dr. Ignaz Philip Semmelweis thundered this desperate plea in the middle of a meeting of doctors in the mid-19th century. In his day, there was an alarmingly high death toll among new mothers, post-surgery patients, and even medical professionals—and Semmelwies suspected that unwashed hands were the culprit. After inventing a chlorine solution that effectively eliminated bacteria from surgical instruments and hands, his suspicions proved true. Unfortunately, his advice was ignored (as he was believed to be insane), and doctors continued to unknowingly kill patients by neglecting sanitation. Those entrusted with saving lives were unknowingly ending them because of their contaminated hands.

Likewise, the Great Physician’s admonition to believers is, “For My sake, wash your hands!” As James said, “Cleanse your hands” (James 4:8b). The Lord calls His gospel-entrusted people to keep themselves clean and holy as they minister to a world sick with sin (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; Gal. 6:14; 1 John 2:15-17). Wickedness is the most contagious spiritual bacteria known to man, and believers must exercise extreme caution when preaching Christ to an idolatry-infected world, lest they become ill and kill their testimony. Christians must remain “unstained from the world” (James 1:27), or they will cause more harm than good by transferring the stain of sin to those who need cleansing from Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7b).

Do you remember the unnamed prophet from Judah? His story is told in 1 Kings 13, and his sole responsibility was to preach the word of the Lord without becoming tainted by idolatry. He was sent to preach the cleansing word of God to the sin-polluted king, Jeroboam. But he was admonished to do so at a distance—he wasn’t even permitted to eat with him (1 Kings 13:8-9). But, despite resisting Jeroboam’s cunning offer of dinner, he ironically accepts an identical invitation from a false prophet in Bethel (1 Kings 13:18-19).

He was subsequently slaughtered by a lion, and the prophet’s testimony died with him (1 Kings 13:24-25). Unlike the unidentified prophet from Judah, believers are called to speak God’s word and the gospel without becoming infected by idolatry. The Lord Jesus exemplified this by befriending sinners, but not their sin (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34). Unlike the Judean prophet, the Prophet from Galilee ate with tax collectors and sinners, and He made it home pure (Mark 2:15-22). Christ reached the world without becoming worldly.

Christ is our example. The prophet from Judah and doctors from old are our warnings. The hymn-writer Harper G. Smyth (1873-1945) reminds us in Make Me a Channel of Blessing:

“We cannot be channels of blessing

If our lives are not free from known sin;

We will barriers be and a hindrance

To those we are trying to win.”

Will you administer the soul-saving remedy of the gospel with hands washed through sanctification?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: